The Russians have been steadily gaining control over the Syrian Golan Heights region in recent weeks, establishing their own strong militia in the area, Hebrew-language outlet Channel 12 News reported Friday.
Dubbed "The Huran Army," the biblical name of the region, the militia is headed by a local rebel commander, Ahmed al-Ouda, who fought against Syrian President Bashar Assad, according to the report.
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This recent development is a positive turn of events as far as Israel is concerned, the report stated, since Russian President Vladimir Putin is interested in keeping the flames between Jerusalem and Damascus low.
The Huran Army, consisting of multiple Muslim officers from the Caucasus, is hostile to both Iran and the Syrian regime, Channel 12 News reported.
Taking control over three Syrian provinces adjacent to the Israeli border – Daraa, Quneitra, and Jabal al-Druze –the Russian-backed militia could provide a buffer zone cushioning Israel's northeastern border.
Moreover, many of the militia recruits are reportedly past rebels who were treated in Israeli hospitals and also received food and medical provisions from the Jewish state.
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The militia has been curbing Hezbollah influence in local towns and dismantling checkpoints erected by the Syrian military. In addition, the newly-formed military force has even granted a somewhat civilian-autonomy to locals, free from the influence of Syrian authorities.
This article was originally published by i24NEWS.
